Local KFC teams join hands to pack 1100 care packages on Mandela Day

That’s how KFC staff, customers and celebrities challenged themselves on Mandela Day to #bethelegacy in a bid to bring smiles and hope to those who need it most.

This was a local challenge that took place at KFC stores in the Fourways, Randburg and greater Sandton areas to help Africa Food For Thought (AFFT), a community-based NGO that helps to provide food security to more than 17 000 children in Soweto and Johannesburg West through schools, informal creches and family food parcels. With support from donors including Add Hope, AFFT provides the essential nutrition that children need to enable them to concentrate and perform well at school. Add Hope has funded Africa Food for Thought for more than five years now.

The challenge saw the KFC teams travel to seven different stores in Johannesburg to pack boxes within 67 minutes. Customers were encouraged to get involved too, as the teams filled the boxes with non-perishable food items, essential toiletries and an educational toy. To add a personal touch to the packages, the teams penned a personal message of hope for the children at AFFT.

Local celebrities including actresses Thuli Phongolo, Anathi Seyisi and Mishqah Pathiepal also joined in at the Epsom Downs KFC restaurant to live up to Tata Madiba’s words of “It is in your hands to make our world a better one for all.”

In addition to the ultimate care package challenge, KFC staff members also participated in an internal competition to see who could document their 67 minutes experience the most creatively through photos and video. The winning internal team was given R10 000 to donate to the beneficiary of their choice where Rays of Hope – based in Alexandra township was the chosen recipient.

The Add Hope initiative, now approaching a decade of existence, shows that hope can be stronger than hunger by supporting 138 different NGOs to feed more than 120 000 children every day, nationwide. Thabisa Mkhwanazi, KFC Africa Corporate Affairs Director says, “There are many ways each of us can make a difference. In fact, one of the easiest yet impactful way is to help us fight hunger and build a better future for children by adding your R2 at any KFC restaurant or online. Hunger is all around us, and in the words of Nelson Mandela - freedom is meaningless if people cannot put food in their stomachs.”